Slung low or high?

[Thir13teen]

Ever since I was a teenager (I'm 41 now) - it always bugged me when a bass players upper horn is 1/2" away from his chin. I'm not even sure how you can play that way.

Do your bass hang below or above the belt? A little below for me.

 

[Systolic]

If I had to generalize, i'd say above the belt. The "top" of the bridge sits at the buckle for me.

 

[Thir13teen]

I cant do super low (like Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden). I play with my bridge towards the top of my thigh.

 

[millsbass5]

It depends. If I'm slapping through a whole song, I'll adjust my strap higher with a 2nd straplock that I have located above my main one on my strap. When it comes to straight fingerstyle (which is 80% of the time), I like to wear my bass about waistline height.

 

[P Town]

I'm an old man, with arthritic joints, and the position I found to be least stressful, is high up, and looks dorky. Too bad.

 

[BluesMan845]

I set my bass strap so when I am standing the bass is in the same position as it is if I am sitting and resting it on my lap. Too low is basically a recipe for sloppiness or bending your wrist in a position that might end up causing trouble for you down the road. Suer it "looks cool" but is really not when you consider all the negatives. Too high makes you look like a jazz weenie

I don't recall where I saw the recommendation for the way I wear my bass but it was from a well known bass player. Try it and I think most players would agree it is a very comfortable postion. It also gives you the benefit of always having the bass in the same position whether you are sitting down at practice or on stage for a gig.

 

[chee666]

I'm 41 as well and i still go super low below the belt. As an 18 year old it just looked cool "Dee Dee Ramone". Now i'm just use to it i have the same straps for 25 years as i had to make them myself to get 63".

 

[Technotitclan]

I used to have the same mind set as you until I thoroughly watched Ryan Martinie of Mudvayne. His technique and use of a mixture of styles is awe inspiring to me and he plays up high like that. I tried it out and discovered it gives you a level of access I have never known before.

For the record I play low. Even after discovering Martinie's style. My horn hits around my belly button.

 

[zachoff]

Mine covers up the jewels... Protection from flying bottles and such.

 

[Technotitclan]

Mine covers up the jewels... Protection from flying bottles and such.

^ This! Words of wisdom!

 

[5 Wire]

Pretty low but, I have long arms.

 

[5 Wire]

Mine covers up the jewels... Protection from flying bottles and such.

So, as you get older do you have to let your strap out?

 

[Mikhail1]

Protect the jewels! I started playing in 1975, played it as low as the strap would go. Over the years it got higher and higher. About 10 years ago, began having hand and wrist issues. The bass was about breast high and that was the reason I had the pain. My right wrist was bent and I had a funky angle on the left as well. Now, it's about mid level with the strings are about belly button level. That plus a switch to light gauge strings have kept hand and wrist pain at bay. While I agree with playing it at the same height standing as setting, it never worked for me. Bottom line... play it where it feels good and causes no pain!

 

[jabsys]

Try it and I think most players would agree it is a very comfortable postion.

I find it rather uncomfortable, especially playing near the nut plus most people I see playing that high end up with their forearm on the body and the right wrist bent 90° which isn't good.

I found the best position for me is with the top horn just above my bellybutton and neck angled so the headstock is just above shoulder level, keeps both wrists fairly straight and no issues with sloppy playing.

 

[JimmyM]

I go medium low. My picking hand usually ends up even with my belt. Too high and my right hand and arm starts hurting, too low and my left hand starts hurting. I really don't care what anyone else does or says about it, either. It works for me, and that's the end of it as far as I'm concerned.

 

[tooley]

I play mine so when i sit or stand its at the same height. So when i practice it feels the same. Billy Sheenhan was the man you probably heard this from bluesman845. Here's the video Invalid Link Removed

 

[Dave W]

I set my bass strap so when I am standing the bass is in the same position as it is if I am sitting and resting it on my lap.

+1

 

[Petethebassman]

I set my bass strap so when I am standing the bass is in the same position as it is if I am sitting and resting it on my lap. Too low is basically a recipe for sloppiness or bending your wrist in a position that might end up causing trouble for you down the road. Suer it "looks cool" but is really not when you consider all the negatives. Too high makes you look like a jazz weenie

I don't recall where I saw the recommendation for the way I wear my bass but it was from a well known bass player. Try it and I think most players would agree it is a very comfortable postion. It also gives you the benefit of always having the bass in the same position whether you are sitting down at practice or on stage for a gig.

+1 to all written above. Consistency and ergonomics are IMO #1, looks a distant #2.

 

[adk teleman]

Mine is about the same height as Geddy Lee and Sting's. Incredibly comfortable level!

 

[dreads311]

The better I got, the higher my bass went. This is to facilitate better technique. I still don't wear it like a necktie, but I notice some sloppiness and difficulties if the strings are at or below my waist. I like the top horn/edge right around the bottom of my rib cage, as if I'm playing seated. I also play a smaller bodied bass (Thumb NT) so it doesn't look too goofy up high. Naturally, to each their own!